Laura Courtney

Back in the day

Medium

oil on board

Further information

My mother loves the telephone. This picture, based on an old photograph, exemplifies that passion but also the early years of my parents’ marriage. They loved old jazz music and they played it loud. I imagine the music is turned way up and she has moved to the farthest reach of their apartment so she can hear the person she is talking to. She is in the middle of cooking dinner and is, no doubt, on her second martini. She’s probably been on the phone for at least an hour – which is a short conversation for her.